{"id":10129,"date":"2026-04-30T17:03:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/katjaiuorio.it\/?p=10129"},"modified":"2026-04-30T17:12:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:12:23","slug":"when-to-plan-for-university-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/katjaiuorio.it\/en\/quando-pianificare-universita-allestero\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Start Planning for University Abroad: A Guide for Families and Students"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Summary<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u00a0The article emphasizes the crucial importance of timing in the university abroad journey, explaining that the right time to start is often sooner than one thinks. Planning ideally begins before high school,<\/strong>\u00a0with \u201cplanting before harvesting,\u201d focusing on building a solid profile and language skills.\u00a0The path takes concrete shape at\u00a0third year (or equivalent)<\/strong>, the moment to begin exploring university systems and consider an initial orientation counseling session.<\/span>\u00a0L'second to last year<\/strong>\u00a0is defined as the \u201cheart of planning,\u201d the year to start the comprehensive orientation process, define the budget, work on the extracurricular profile, and prepare for standardized tests. Finally, the\u2019last year it was that<\/strong>or applications, with crucial deadlines ranging from October to March. The guide also addresses signs that indicate you've started too late and emphasizes the fundamental importance of the family's role at every stage. The article concludes with a FAQ section that answers the most frequent questions and suggests Where to start today<\/strong>.\u00a0Why timing is everything<\/strong>.<\/span><\/div>\n
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One of the questions I get asked most often, especially by parents, is this one:\u00a0\u201cKatja, is it too late to start?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The answer depends on many variables<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>From the country chosen, the type of university, the student's profile, the schooling already done<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>But there's one thing I can say with certainty after over twenty years of working in this field: in the journey towards studying abroad at university, there's no perfect moment \u2014 but there is the right moment for everyone.<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>And that moment, more often than not, is sooner than you think<\/span>.<\/span><\/div>\n

The international university system works very differently from the Italian one.<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Applications open and close months before the start of the academic year, requirements must be built over time, and some choices made in the third or fourth year of high school can determine admission to\u2014or preclude access to\u2014certain programs.<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, I'll guide you step-by-step, from the beginning of high school to graduation, to understand what to do and when to do it.<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>It's not about creating anxiety: it's about\u00a0<\/span>Transform a nebulous project into a concrete plan<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you're wondering<\/span>\u00a0How much does a structured guidance program cost?<\/span><\/a>, or if you want to understand if this type of support is right for you, you'll find everything you need on the dedicated pages<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before High School: Sowing Before the Harvest<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many families contact me when their child is already in their final year, with deadlines looming.<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>But the foundations of a successful international university path are laid much earlier, even in middle school or the very first years of high school.<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It's not about making definitive choices<\/span>. It's about building an open mindset and a profile that, over time, can become competitive.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do at this stage:<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n